François-Yves Besnard has been a Doctor of theology, a priest, mayor, prefect and tax collector by turns. He is a historical figure of Fontevraud and will narrate part of the place’s history in a discovery booklet.
It is May 1814, after 10 years of construction works, the prestigious abbey is transformed into a prison. What a strange destiny for a place which used to be one of the biggest monastic cities of Europe. Along the walk, imagine how deeply the French Revolution has shattered the life of the village where most of the activities where linked to the abbey.
Where can you find the discovery booklet? The printed version can be purchased for only 1 € at the abbey welcome desk or the tourism office.
At the crossroad of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, Fontevraud-L’Abbaye is a beautiful monastic market town with flowers all over the place.
Complete your walk with a visit of the abbey. It is the necropolis of the Plantagenet dynasty with the recumbent figures of Aliénor d’Aquitaine and Richard Lionheart. You will be stunned!
